Windows 10: Dual monitor config causing coolers going crazy?

I realize Dell's forums would suit better for this particular issue, but they have some login issues, so posting there is not possible...

I'm running Dell XPS 9550 with TB16 dock and for the past two years I used it with a single 4K external display only. This Monday I've connected another 4K external display and I've been facing the coolers going crazy and running like helicopters... I've made no other changes to the setup nor installed any new software that would eat my CPU power and generate excessive heat.

Can I assume this happening solely by connecting another external display? I mean, I understand that it means more work for the graphics card, as it needs to generate double pixels compared to the previous set up with a single external display only. But given I just do the office stuff (mail, internet, Excel, etc.) is that really such a big effort for the graphics to serve two screens? Effectively my question is - do I need to get used to the coolers buzz or shall I look for any other reason that doubling my display space?

:)

 

Latest update to Windows 10 blew config files, anyone have same issue? Resolution?

I did Update and Shutdown last night and today my machine won't come up entirely. I have dual monitors and both are blank and go into Standby mode because they are not registering any activity. All lights are on keyboard/mouse and computer and it sounds
like it is starting fine, but then nothing. Local tech says .config files are blown. Any resolution to this issue?

 

Nvidia drivers suddenly start to crash constantly

"I deactivate the turbo mode of my bios an that solve the problem."

Good to hear. The stock turbo speeds generally don't cause issues. Perhaps your case cooling is not adequate for the turbo clock speeds,

or your case fan dust filters or cpu cooler fins are clogged with dust ?

Stock cpu coolers are not the best for gaming machines either. If your case has room for an after market cooler using one may also help.

The Coolermaster Hyper 212X (X is the latest version of this well regarded cooler model ) is a good budget model single fan cooler.

Real Temp is a good cpu temp monitoring tool that you can use to verify if the cpu is running a bit too hot... Real Temp

Cheers - BD

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I think this quote from another forum might answer your question pretty well.

 

Many thanks, slicendice!

It actually makes me even more worried *Wink, as I've just finally managed to get the 60Hz refresh rate on both screens (the default cables could deliver only 30Hz). That suggests that the noise level may even increase! *Mad

Hopefully I can somehow eliminate it, if not directly, then maybe killing some unnecessary processes, I previously didn't care of, will make the CPU/GPU less loaded.

 

You are very welcome. Cooling and noise issues are very common on laptops, especially on super thin one's like your Dell.

 

Run GPU-Z Video card GPU Information Utility and look at the sensors tab. Take screenshots from before and after you connect the 2nd monitor so we can see what is changing.

 

I've installed GPU-Z and monitored it for a couple of hours, both with one and two displays attached, paying special attention to the GPU temperature and load. Obviously, there were certain differences, but overall GPU load didn't exceed 10% with 2 displays enabled (with just 1 it was around 4-6%) and the temperature rarely exceeded 60 degrees both with 1 and 2 displays connected. So it looks to me, it's not the GPU issue, given the overall tiny load of the GPU.

In the meantime I've actually identified a partial culprit - it's Dell SupportAssistant that got updated in the background on the very same day I added another external display. I disabled the related services and coolers slowed down (I eventually removed it completely), but still they work more intensively than they used to... *Confused

 

As recommended earlier.

Take separate screenshots of the GPU-Z sensors tab, with 1 and 2 monitors connected. The GPU load doesn't say much without looking at all available data.

If you have 2 GPUs (Intel and nvidia) then we need a total of 4 screenshots.

 

Roger that! *Smile

I've made a screenshot for 2 displays first, then waited approx. 5 minutes and took the one for 1 display.
See below with 2 displays attached:





And with just a single one attached:




I can't see the real difference... 5 minutes should be enough I believe for the fans to cool down the GPU. So maybe it's not this one...

 

Don't you also have a dedicated NVidia GPU there? If so, we should take a look at same data for that one too. Maybe the card is running at full speed even though not in use...

On my ancient laptop, Intel GPU is running at full speeds, while the NVidia GPU is running at very low voltages and frequencies, until I actually run an application that uses the dedicated GPU.

 

Yes, I do have a secondary card, but it doesn't typically work - see the screenshots. The first presents the state that lasts for 98% of time, and the other the remaining 2%.

 

Everything is working as expected. The figures does not explain why the fan want's to go higher, though the system might be running at the fan speed increment threshold with 2 monitors connected, since the temps are running around 50C. The fans should not blow at full speed though.

So, how about processes in Task Manager? Total CPU load should be less than 4% at idle. In best cases almost Zero most of the time. On my slow Ultrabook the load is about 1-2% and every now and then it goes to 0%. Same thing on my ancient Laptop.

Another thing you could take a look at while in Task Manager, are the CPU frequency states. Is the CPU running at 100% and beyond of base frequency all the time?

Then finally check your Power Management settings. If you are running at High Performance profile, then the CPU will most likely run at 100% frequencies and Turbo Boost at even small loads.

If you are surfing the web or typing in Word, you def. do not need a high performance profile activated. *Smile

 

Hmm... I read about the Dell XPS 9550 a bit more. Seems that model does have a lot of issues with insane fan noise.

Here are a few tricks you could try to overcome the excess noise:
Fixing the loud CPU fan on the Dell XPS 15 9550 (2016)

 

Many thanks for this link!I believe the key is here: The fix for the loud CPU fan – especially when a Thunderbolt device is connected – is (...). With a single monitor I did use the USB-C port but I can't recall Thunderbolt being used (at least no icon was present in the tray as it is now). So maybe it's not the card itself - it is / may be Thunderbolt... *Confused

However I do have a private XPS 9360 at home with the same TB16 dock and it works pretty flawlessly...